theshaggyshepherd's review against another edition
5.0
After reading Silver, Sword, and Stone by Marie Arana, I just had to sit down for a while and let it sink in, something I had to do many times throughout the book as well. I picked up this book because my fiance's family is Hispanic and I wanted to learn more about Latin America. I like how Arana set up this book in three sections - Silver (greed over natural resources), Sword (brutality) and Stone (religion) - three motivations that are the cause of many invasions by colonizers at that time. While she focuses on each of those on their own, she also shows how they all intertwine with each other. Using an actual person for each section and how their lives were affected by these themes makes this book feel even more relevant. Arana wrote about many different countries and significant people in them, but every time you thought "Here is someone who will do the right thing for this country!" you are proven wrong again. Time and again, she shows how a mixture of silver, sword and/or stone corrupts the leaders that once thought themselves the healers of their countries. This book was shocking, educational, and eye-opening. I highly recommend it if you want to know more about Latin America's history.
izcanbeguscott's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Silver, Sword and Stone is what I would call an "almanac" work of history - it is a way of learning a lot about an absolutely massive topic, but its value will always remain as a mostly referential work or an introduction.
Marie Arana essentially tries to sum up the history of Latin America through the titular Silver, Sword and Stone: Silver for the exploitation of resources, Sword for the violence endemic to the region, and Stone for religions significant sway in the lives of the people who live there. The connecting factor can be seen as a little superficial, as every region on Earth deals with these same issues in one way or another, but they are essentially a jumping off pad for the anecdotes and exploration of the history of the continent.
What makes it special and less encyclopedic than expected is the way it uses these through-lines of history to make you empathize with the normal people who have to deal with the aftershocks of events way beyond their control. It really takes to heart the idea that for many people, one loss is a tragedy and a million is a statistic; so by bringing the narrative to that granular level, it makes you connect more with the people as equals.
I am yet to read Arana's biography on Bolivar, but I am excited as it seems to play to here strengths as a writer a little better. Still recommend this book as a way to find more interesting works in Latin American history stemming from these topics.
Marie Arana essentially tries to sum up the history of Latin America through the titular Silver, Sword and Stone: Silver for the exploitation of resources, Sword for the violence endemic to the region, and Stone for religions significant sway in the lives of the people who live there. The connecting factor can be seen as a little superficial, as every region on Earth deals with these same issues in one way or another, but they are essentially a jumping off pad for the anecdotes and exploration of the history of the continent.
What makes it special and less encyclopedic than expected is the way it uses these through-lines of history to make you empathize with the normal people who have to deal with the aftershocks of events way beyond their control. It really takes to heart the idea that for many people, one loss is a tragedy and a million is a statistic; so by bringing the narrative to that granular level, it makes you connect more with the people as equals.
I am yet to read Arana's biography on Bolivar, but I am excited as it seems to play to here strengths as a writer a little better. Still recommend this book as a way to find more interesting works in Latin American history stemming from these topics.
reflectiveramblin_nalana's review against another edition
4.0
Silver, Sword, and Stone" by Marie Arana which looks at how exploitation (silver) violence (Sword) and religion (stone) as a cultural memory/history/ tendency? shaped Latin America. Throughout reading this I realized that I am not of the right background to do this book justice. Now that could begin the debate of whether or not this means a non-fiction title has failed in its intent, and I can't claim that either. The information and history is clearly laid out and it has an engaging flow with each section's thesis address. But at the same time, a lack of previous education or cultural knowledge has left me exceptionally ill at ease, deterred this review, and I here acknowledge that I know my educational failings, bias, and privileges of a white millennial are factoring into both my reactions and comprehension.
Latin America is a hard history to read about. That I believe many would know to start with. But reading this book made me doubly ashamed of how little I know about all this to begin with. I believe what would be most beneficial is to seek out reviews from Latin American readers. I believe there is a cultural sensitivity that I am not connecting with. The result is that certain sections of this book not so much a 'wake up call' , educational experience, or even calling someone/thing to task but drip with disdain. It is exceptionally alarming and disorienting.
The author CLEARLY has a lot of love for Latin America and the country she was born in (Peru) but she also has lived in the US for a very very long time. I don't know if she's just not sugar coating things... but the violence section in particular comes off a lot of as "Oh they can't help it. They're naturally blood thirsty." There is a thread of “a lack of opportunity /backed into a corner has led to these actions.” There is some emphasis on inter-generational trauma but I continued to feel this huge disconnect in messaging in the author's voice.
That being said the topic IS fascinating. The thematic approach and angle it tackles history is refreshing. It may disheartening how much I'm learning but it was a valuable experience. We all start somewhere. At the same time I wish it wasn't set up so much on cultural ties-connections then country by country as I know I'm going to have to read SO many more histories before my poorly educated brain really sinks in/remembers what was happening where.
Overall a significant read with a conflicting narrative voice that served as a good reminder of how much more I need to learn.
Latin America is a hard history to read about. That I believe many would know to start with. But reading this book made me doubly ashamed of how little I know about all this to begin with. I believe what would be most beneficial is to seek out reviews from Latin American readers. I believe there is a cultural sensitivity that I am not connecting with. The result is that certain sections of this book not so much a 'wake up call' , educational experience, or even calling someone/thing to task but drip with disdain. It is exceptionally alarming and disorienting.
The author CLEARLY has a lot of love for Latin America and the country she was born in (Peru) but she also has lived in the US for a very very long time. I don't know if she's just not sugar coating things... but the violence section in particular comes off a lot of as "Oh they can't help it. They're naturally blood thirsty." There is a thread of “a lack of opportunity /backed into a corner has led to these actions.” There is some emphasis on inter-generational trauma but I continued to feel this huge disconnect in messaging in the author's voice.
That being said the topic IS fascinating. The thematic approach and angle it tackles history is refreshing. It may disheartening how much I'm learning but it was a valuable experience. We all start somewhere. At the same time I wish it wasn't set up so much on cultural ties-connections then country by country as I know I'm going to have to read SO many more histories before my poorly educated brain really sinks in/remembers what was happening where.
Overall a significant read with a conflicting narrative voice that served as a good reminder of how much more I need to learn.
fclancy93's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Silver, Sword, and Stone
A continent in turmoil
Blood on gold crosses
A continent in turmoil
Blood on gold crosses
eliiiiiiizabthh's review against another edition
2.0
This book is a historical account of how minerals, war, and religion have shaped contemporary Latin America. It was not what I was expecting when I started reading it. It wasnt _bad_ perse, but it was boring.